Preparing fields in Singye Gewog in Sarpang just got easier. With the arrival of 25 mini power tillers under a 50:50 cost-sharing scheme, farmers say they can now cultivate more land and earn more income.
Each mini power tiller costs Nu 64,000. The farmers are paying only half this price. Compared to conventional power tillers, the mini versions are more affordable, easier to operate, and particularly user-friendly for women.
Speaking at the distribution ceremony, the agriculture minister said the machines have proven effective in improving farm efficiency across the country.
“We are currently working on a project where we are planning to buy about 8,000 to 10,000 mini power tillers and distribute them across the country. We are expecting each chiwog to have at least 10 mini tillers. It is mainly to help our farmers, especially women, in taking up farming,” said Younten Phuntsho, Minister, MoAL.
For many beneficiaries, the machines bring both relief and renewed motivation.
Twenty-nine-year-old Kelzang Wangmo says she no longer has to depend on others to prepare her fields.
“This machine will help us a lot. So far, we had to hire power tillers from others, which cost about Nu 500 per hour, and only if the owner was available. This often delayed our work. Now, this won’t be a problem,” said Kelzang Wangmo, Resident, Singye Gewog, Sarpang.
Other farmers say the machines will help them diversify crops and increase income.
“Receiving the machine today, I feel we can make good use of it by growing different varieties of vegetables and crops and selling them in the market to earn a better income,” said Bhoj Raj Rai, a resident at Singye Gewog, Sarpang.
“We think we can do more vegetable cultivation than before with these machines. Now, we won’t have to hire bulls or power tillers from others, where the hiring charges are quite high. This project will benefit us a lot,” said Kinga, another resident, Singye Gewog, Sarpang.
According to the ministry, around 1,200 mini power tillers have been distributed nationwide over the past two years. In Sarpang alone, more than 340 mini power tillers have been supplied since 2022. The Building Resilient Commercial Smallholder Agriculture project supported this latest distribution.
Before receiving the machines, beneficiaries signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing to use them for their intended purpose. Under the agreement, misuse, resale, or leaving the machines idle could result in repossession or repayment of the full cost.
Passang Dorji, Sarpang
